There’s been some buzz around Augmented Reality applications that are starting to show up on the web. BMW, GE and Toyota already have this technology at work on their websites.

The video from BMW below shows an example where procedural knowledge is embedded within the objects and tools required for the procedure.

There are varied ways this type of technology could be used for learning; one immediate application is being able to embed sophisticated training content into the objects and environment. Users in the environment and using those objects will be able to access training/information as and when they need it, typically when they encounter and interact with the objects.

We found it really interesting that this uses Flash technology, and have decided to create an Augmented Reality application that focuses on learning. Given our expertise in Flash, we’ll have something to show very soon. Another aspect that impresses us is the maturity of Flash applications that are now showing up on the web. The ability to capture and process video, images and sounds using input devices will let Flash developers dream up even more sophisticated rich internet applications for the learning domain.

About The Author

AVP - Learning Design

The ‘Google’ of Upside Learning, as he is fondly called, Abhijit guides the Instructional Designing team at Upside Learning with his professional experience of 15 years in multimedia design and development fields. A Mechanical Engineer by qualification, Abhijit’s multifarious interests range from genetics, evolutionary biology, biochemistry, engineering, technology, computing to electronic games, media, communication, and the design of user experience and interaction.

Comments ( 16 comments )

Great Post! I’m currently completing my Master’s in Educational Technology and Media Design and my thesis is about augmented reality (AR) and learning. I believe this technology has the potential to engage visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learners in a brand new way and inspire inquiry and critical thinking. Not to mention using AR and GPS technology to take the lessons outside the classroom and allowing learners to actively participate within a real world context. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Wow… after reading this the idea immediately clicked my mind is a pen with Google integrated in it and so as soon as you start writing the related information is available to you…very much like what has been discussed in the TED – The sixth sense
Or say one fine day before one actually fills up a form it will scan the person’s mind and will check for his/her eligibility Not sure if this has already been implemented and i am left far behind…

I agree with John that using this kind of technology to purely augment SOPs is banal. BMW of all the manufacturers could have been more creative in their use of technology.

I don’t however share John’s grim view of the future. Perhaps if augmented reality is taken to its logical conclusion , it’ll free up a lot of people to actually do more productive things.

When robotics invaded car manufacture in the early 70s, there was an immediate fear that auto workers would become redundant. Some of them, the ones who didnt or couldnt reskill did. The ones who were able to upgrade their skills, actually added more value to the manufacturers. In the long term, this has led to cars being better built, safer, economical, and most importantly including a lot of incremental innovation. Perhaps, just maybe, a similar situation may emerge from the adoption of AR technologies by the mainstream.

It’s early days yet for AR, and I’m sure we’ll see far more innovative use of this technology to enhance life and learning.

I’d be thrilled to have my Doctor or Nurse wear one of these. The medical profession is known for taking decisions (diagnostic, prescriptive or otherwise) often based on incomplete knowledge of the patients condition. IMO, augmented reality will possibly allow providing substantially more information for decision making then is now available; this combined with empirical experience (the kind of doctor/nurses rely on) will improve medical care.

Hi Abhijit
I regret to say that 1. the ‘empirical’ work you refer to is silent or confused on many subjects, which is related to the fact that, 2. people are far more complex than cars. 3. you also black box ‘substantially more’ information as if the sheer weight of it is going to help – actually it is far beyond the machine to find and recognise a relevant and high quality study. Added to this, the fact that nurses aim to treat clients holistically, so, for routine interventions this might be ok, but it underplays the importance of interpersonal relationships and communication in care – i.e. you might find that the applications for this technology would be narrower than you might expect.

The new iPhone SDK supports AR but you can’t use the FlarToolkit or ActionScript to create it. I think you may be able to use the ARToolkit as a base for the language and program it Xcode with Objective-C. I wish I knew how to program.